What Is Sustainability?
KIMBERLY WARREN
THE SIGNAL
When I think of the meaning of sustainability, I think of the word up in two parts. First is “sustain” which, to me, implies something that can last forever. Then when you add “ability,” you get sustainability: the ability to last. With our world going through numerous chemical and climate changes, and the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer, there is a lot of talk about living in a sustainable world. We are being encouraged to use renewable resources instead of the nonrenewable ones that are polluting our world.
How can you help sustain our world? I’m glad you asked. For starters, those who recycle are in some ways contributing to a life of sustainability, but there are other ways. One way is the use of wind and solar power. The individual who just installed solar panels in his house – you are living a sustainable life. The use of wind and solar power can not only help the air that we breathe, but it can also lead to financial sustainability because it’s renewable and free. Although, living a sustainable lifestyle today can get expensive, its long-term effect can save people money. As we continue to use nonrenewable resources, we continue to lose them, and as we lose them, the demand continues to rise. When a demand is high for a nonrenewable resource that is in limited supply, the price for that resource only increases.
Sustainable practices can help city developments. For example, carpooling to work can reduce air pollution. A person can recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum cans to live sustainably. While nonrenewable resources impact the air quality in cities negatively, renewable resources will help clear the air.
The one thing that we need is clean air. If the air is polluted due to the continual use of nonrenewable resources, oxygen is polluted, and we need oxygen to live. Without sustainable living, crops can be destroyed, and some of the food that we eat would be non-existent. The use of nonrenewable resources can destroy climates as populations increase. We all have the ability to make this world we live in last. So, instead of competing for the nonrenewable, let us help our world by becoming sustainable in any way that we can. If you didn’t know before, now you know that sustainability is the new way to go.
